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Volkswagen Golf R wins BBC TopGear Magazine Hot Hatch award

The Volkswagen Golf R, the most powerful Golf on sale, has won a prestigious TopGear Magazine award, Hot Hatch of the Year 2014.

At the heart of the Golf R is 2.0-litre 300 PS TSI, which is 30 PS more powerful and up to 18 per cent more fuel efficient than the previous model. This power is transferred to the road via the latest version of Volkswagen’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system.

Commenting on the award, Ollie Marriage, Motoring Editor of TopGear Magazine stated: ‘Volkswagen has taken the already excellent GTI and left no stone unturned in its pursuit of improvement.’

The Golf R can reach 62 mph from a standing start in 5.1 seconds when mated to a manual gearbox. A DSG dual clutch gearbox is available as an option and enables the R to complete the sprint in just 4.9 seconds. The Golf R has an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

Prices start from £30,150 RRP OTR for the three-door manual model, and the Golf R is also remarkably efficient for a car with these performance credentials. The R emits 165 g/km thanks to the Stop-Start and battery regeneration systems, and together with the optional six-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) it has a combined average of 40.9 mpg.

Marriage added: ‘It is the car that can do everything – 40 mpg cruiser, upmarket business chariot, winter weapon…genuine thrill provider. … Congratulations Volkswagen – the result of your efforts is the best hot hatch on sale today.’

This award is the icing on the cake for the Golf R as it has also been named top in Autocar’s Britain’s Top 50 Cars of 2014 and picked up the hot hatch award in last week’s 2014 Scottish Car of the Year Awards.

The Awards issue of BBC TopGear magazine is on sale now. For more details on the car or to find your nearest Volkswagen Retailer, visit volkswagen.co.uk.